The Front Door by : Amanda Walker
John was ironing, in fact all morning he had been doing the housework and loving it. The chance to take a weekday off and get all his jobs done was a godsend and for John it was also an opportunity to become Amanda and do girly things while dressed as his alter ego. His house was a detached on a new estate, he didn’t know the neighbours well, he was often at work until late and rarely saw them. So he drew the blinds and set to while dressed comfortably.
Today he decided to wear a blue knitted dress over some Warners Secrets lingerie, the combination of the lacy undergarments and the plain dress amused him, the feel of the silky fabrics against his freshly shaven body gave him great pleasure. He was also wearing blue 70 denier tights and the feeling of the dress against his legs was exquisite. He wore plain makeup and his long blond hair tied back into a ponytail, he felt like an everyday housewife in her slippers.
The doorbell rang and totally comfortable in her clothes and persona Amanda answered the door before she had thought what she was doing.
Tale 1
"Hello my dear, are you a friend of John?"
Amanda collected herself quickly.
"Err-um yes I’m Amanda, it’s Mrs Granger isn’t it? John’s shown me your photo."
"Yes dear I was wondering if that boy of mine was in, I saw his car on the drive as we were passing and my friend Mrs King just dropped me off. I’ll just wave her to go."
She turned and waved to her friend who started her Metro and drove away.
‘My god my mother’s here and I’m dressed up like this’ thought John, ‘fortunately she’s as blind as a bat, I might get away with it, it’s worth a try’
"I’m afraid John’s at work Mrs Granger."
"Oh do call me Ethel dear, aren’t you going to invite me in?"
"I’m sorry, how rude of me." Amanda replied keeping her voice light and trying to think of a plan to get out of this.
"I haven’t heard John talk about you before my dear."
"No, err, we’ve known each other for a long time but I usually work in the London office, we very rarely meet. Last night I stayed over following a works meal, I drove him to work today so I could run some errands in the car, I was just tidying up by way of a thank-you."
"What a disappointment! I thought he’d found himself a girl at last, he’s a bit slow at coming forward if you know what I mean."
"I think I know him well enough, we’re just good friends."
"What a shame you are a lovely looking girl. Come on I’ll help you with this housework after you’ve made us a cup of tea."
As ‘Amanda’ pretended to look through all the cupboards for the cups and teabags Ethel started tidying the lounge. "A man on his own, look at the state of this place, he needs a woman to look after him!"
"I’m sure he’ll find one in time, Mrs Granger."
"Ethel to you dear, don’t you think you and he’d be a good match? I could see you two together you have a similar temperament."
‘Closer than you think!’ thought John.
"Like I said before Ethel, just good friends." Replied Amanda
"Can’t blame me for trying Amanda! I want to find a nice girl for him."
They spent the next hour tidying, ironing and packing John’s mess away. The exchanged chitchat and Amanda found herself at ease. Then the doorbell rang again.
"It’s alright that will be Mrs King, She’s come to get me for dinner, we have table booked at the Poacher Inn. You will join us won’t you? I’m enjoying your company so much. We old biddies need a bit of young blood around us to keep us active."
This should have been too much for John he had never been out of the house as Amanda and yet today he was so at ease with his character he didn’t put up much of a fight.
"I shouldn’t, I’ve got some shopping to do."
"Don’t worry, do it later. Come on have a break, my treat."
"OK Ethel you’re very persuasive, I’ll just get some shoes and my bag and coat."
And that was it. Before she knew it Amanda was walking down John’s drive. The cool breeze on her legs, the click of the heels, the slight feeling of vulnerability and yet freedom.
Mrs King was all smiles as Amanda slid into the rear of the small city car, fortunately it was the 5door version, she remembered all that she had read about deportment and swung her legs in after sitting down while keeping her knees together. The dress rode up to her upper thigh leaving her feeling even more exposed, these were exciting times.
They arrived at the pub and after settling the ladies at a table Amanda went to the bar to order drinks. The barman’s ‘Yes madam? What can I get you?’ while he was obviously eyeing her up.
"Thank-you. I’d like a coke and my mother and her friend will have a sweet sherry."
‘Oh my what did I just say!’ She thought.
"I’ll bring them over." Replied the barman.
"Err no it’s OK I’ll wait." She didn’t want him repeating the mistake.
The drinks were served quite quickly but not she had been ‘accidentally’ bumped by a rather pushy guy who used it as a ploy to introduce himself. She was quite afraid she would be ‘read’ but there was no malice in his eyes, quite the reverse in fact and she felt quite flattered by the attention.
"You were attracting the gentlemen back there my dear!"
"Hmm, my favourite sort the slimy barfly!" replied Amanda.
"Yes I’m sure my John’s safe with you."
"I’ve already told you we’re just good friends."
"and there was only one bed made up last night and your things were in his room…" Ethel smiled and gave a knowing look to her friend.
Amanda stopped talking and felt as thought Ethel was getting rather personal to her character.
"I think you’re embarrassing her Ethel." Intervened Mrs. King.
"I’m so sorry dear, I didn’t mean to pry, I’m just an interfering mother who should know better."
‘Better come up with a story’, thought Amanda.
"I’m sorry too, I don’t mean to deceive, it’s just that John’s been very good to me and I’d rather have him tell you himself about any relationship. We’ve only just started seeing each other I’m still nervous about it my last partner and I split on bad terms." She feigned a tear or two for effect.
That did it, both older ladies moved to sit each side of her, proffered hankies and held her hand.
"I know what we need, retail therapy! Let me apologise, we can get you something special to wear."
"Oh yes I’d love that." Said Mrs King "I never had a daughter to take shopping, I’ve three sons!"
"And I’ve only got John, we couldn’t have any more, he’s a fine son but I would have liked to have a daughter as well. Please indulge us today!"
‘Little do you know’ thought Amanda.
"OK, OK! Let’s start again, I’m enjoying your company."
Just then the food arrived and they settled down to a light lunch.
After the food they got back into the car and set off for the Trafford Centre, Amanda would never have dared to do this but now she would be at the northwest’s premier shopping centre with her mother for company. They were soon into the mass of shops, Amanda for the first time could look into the shop windows without feeling strange and now they actually were going in and browsing! The two older ladies loved looking through the clothes they would never choose for themselves as they fussed over their new friend. They were in Monsoon famous for its eastern influence when the ladies announced they had found the perfect dress and Amanda should try it on. She hesitated, this was another step further she would have to be in her underwear in a ladies dress shop.
"Go on, never hesitate, just go for it." Said Ethel.
Amanda took the dress and fortunately the dressing rooms were singles not communal! She came out to show the dress off and they had to resist applauding it was just right. The dress had a plain grey cotton base with a chiffon top layer patterned in the eastern style.
"Oh yes, that’s just what we were thinking of, now those shoes and tights don’t go do they? What shoe size are you?"
"Eight"
"Right that’s fine, change back and leave it to us, we have another surprise for you." Said Ethel
Amanda returned to the changing room, when she came out Ethel took the dress and lead her towards her friend.
"Come with me." Said Mrs King and she lead Amanda towards the beauty parlour across the mall. "My niece works here, just sit here lie back close your eyes and let them pamper you."
Amanda was in the chair and an overall was around her shoulders before she could say anything. The girls in the salon set to work, one washed her hair another started a manicure.
"My Aunt’s given us the instructions just lie back and enjoy."
By the time they had finished Amanda had a head full of curlers and was under the drier, a green mud face pack and her nails had extensions and were painted bright red.
‘There’s no way out of this now.’ thought Amanda ‘What will I look like?’
The curlers came out and after being brushed out and set with spray another girl came to finish Amanda’s makeup. They wouldn’t let her look at herself until they were finished.
"Oh look at her a marvellous job Katie."
"Thanks Auntie, I think she’ll be pleased. OK Amanda lets look at you."
They lifted the towel from the mirror and she saw the transformation for herself. Her hair was a mass of curls and they had put highlights in. The makeup while subtle was so much better than she had ever done. She was stunned into silence.
"It is OK isn’t it?" asked Katie
"OK! It’s wonderful! Thank you so much. What do I owe you?"
"Nothing. My Aunt and her friend have already paid."
"Go and change into your new dress Amanda, and here’s another bag for you."
Amanda went into the salon’s changing room and found a new pair of shoes and a pair of light grey tights that had a slight sheen. Both items complimented the dress perfectly. She came out and admired herself in the full-length mirror, there was no sign of John at all, a really beautiful young lady was stood there.
The ladies now decided a coffee was in order and they moved to the central concourse where the food court was. Amanda noticed the extra attention she was getting, many men were checking her out. They sat down with their drinks and after about five minutes a young man came up kissed Mrs King and sat down.
"May I introduce Kevin my youngest son"
Amanda looked puzzled, what was going on?
Her mother spoke, "Kevin’s offered to take you out tonight."
"But what about John?" replied Amanda
"You’ve looked in the mirror, don’t you think he looks marvellous, I just wish I’d known years ago. Kevin knows, but don’t worry, he likes girls like you. Have a good night son."
Fin.
Tale 2 to follow
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